07 December 2023

The Intriguing Journey of Bossk's Costume: From Doctor Who to Star Wars

One of the most captivating pieces of Star Wars trivia to recently emerge involves Bossk, the enigmatic bounty hunter briefly seen in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." While the character himself is shrouded in mystery, the story behind his costume is a fascinating tale that intertwines with British television history and even military apparel.

Bossk is a Trandoshan bounty hunter who makes a fleeting appearance in "The Empire Strikes Back" during the assembly of bounty hunters on Darth Vader's Star Destroyer. He is seen again, albeit briefly, on Jabba the Hutt's sail barge in "Return of the Jedi," which presumably suggests his demise during the barge's destruction.

The Doctor Who Connection: A Tale of Recycled Costumes

Legend has it that Bossk's costume was originally a spacesuit from a 1966 episode of the BBC's "Doctor Who," specifically the episode titled "The 10th Planet."

Given that much of the Star Wars original trilogy was filmed in England, it's plausible that the costume designers had access to a variety of costumes and props from past British productions. The spacesuit's design and aesthetic made it a suitable choice for the Star Wars universe.

bossk RAF suit

The RAF Connection: A High-Altitude Windak Pressure Suit

Further investigation reveals that the suit is actually a 'High-Altitude Windak Pressure Suit,' used by English RAF pilots during the 1960s. This adds another layer of historical context to Bossk's attire, linking it not just to television history but also to real-world military apparel.
Jimmy Jangles

Founder & Editor •  |  @JimmyJangles

Jimmy Jangles is an independent science fiction analyst and media critic based in New Zealand. He founded The Astromech to dig into the themes, mythology, and ideas behind the stories that shape how we imagine the future — from Star Wars and Dune to Alien, Star Trek, and beyond. He also runs How to Home Brew Beers.

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